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5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.

If you've tuned into the Food Network lately, chances are you can pinpoint this here sir as Scott Conant - recurring judge on "Chopped," and host of the new series, "24 Hour Restaurant Battle."

After more than a decade of cooking in some of New York City's most renown Italian restaurants (L'Impero, Alto, San Demonico, etc.) and being named a "Best New Chef" by 'Food & Wine' magazine in 2004, Conant opened up his very own restaurant, Scarpetta, in 2008. Scarpetta went on to receive three stars from both The New York Times and 'New York Magazine,' and was dubbed one of the “Best New Restaurants in America” by 'Esquire' magazine. Oh - and the restaurant received a nomination for "Best New Restaurant" from the James Beard Foundation in 2009.

Let's just say the man knows a thing or two about opening up a restaurant.

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No foolin'. Botanically speaking, tomatoes are fruit, so don't Gulag them away in Bloody Mary land. They're sweet, juicy, colorful and ever so ready to meet the business end of a muddler. Here's one way they've been punching up my summer.

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It's been our experience that many people get mighty shirty if there's not an open bar at a wedding, and others don't mind ponying up for a brewski. Where do you stand? (Or sit. Gently now...gently...)